Pool Nation

Pool Nation

  • All Racked Up -

I quite enjoy Pool Nation.

I find something soothing about it.

Of course, I’m an avowed novice (I just loves my crutches), who would rather chat and play, in a more languid sorta way, than be champ. (Though, if by some miracle, I were to become champ, it would be sooo cool.)

I mean, there’s something very gratifying about being on a 6 ball streak, while carrying on a casual conversation, with friends, about the stupid decisions the characters on Walking Dead make.

But, play on any other setting and I’d have to put on my ugly old game face and actually concentrate on each shot, and…well, I don’t wanna.

Real player with 82.4 hrs in game


Read More: Best Pool Sports Games.


Right off the bat, one thing that will catch your attention is the variety of game types. Most billiards games like to focus only on either 8- or 9-ball. Those games are here, but they do not stop at that. Along the game, other games like Rotation and Golf are in the mix. With nine different ways currently available with Snooker and Trick coming soon, there are plenty of ways to play.

Another strong point about the game is the controls. Like in any other pool game, being able to control the cue ball is important. Most games simply allow you to aim the ball and adjust the power. Even though most games stop at this, there are more options to offer. By being able to adjust the angle of the cue stick as well as where on the cue ball to aim, it gives the option of doing jump and swerve shots, something most billiard games leave out. Additionally, with a full tutorial teaching how to do all of these moves, it does not take long before they become second nature.

Real player with 63.0 hrs in game

Pool Nation on Steam

“Glow Ball” - The billiard puzzle game

“Glow Ball” - The billiard puzzle game

Glow Ball - The Billiard Puzzle Game has a really great concept. A puzzle game where you use the mechanics of a pool table, but instead of a pool table, you have a series of balls and unusual “tables” and pockets.

The glowing balls and shadows make the game look great, too, despite the otherwise lazy minimalist/low poly environment. Unfortunately the controls are finnicky, and the puzzles are more frustrating than enjoyable (admittedly I am not the best at billiards to begin with). If the game was a little easier this would be a great casual puzzle game. The $5 asking price is a little high given the issues with the game. It’s hard to give a thumbs down to a game I wanted to like, but couldn’t.

Real player with 34.6 hrs in game


Read More: Best Pool Logic Games.


Pool with puzzle elements, seems like a nice combination, right? Well, I guess the idea could be nice if it was well executed, which “Glow Ball” sadly does not.

I do not have any problem with games that do not have superb graphics but Glow Ball’s graphics are amazingly ugly in a way I find it amazing people are able to create these kind of graphics in 2014. Especially the main screen looks atrocious and almost funny.

The gameplay could have been interesting. Like in regular pool you will have to shoot your balls in the holes, the only difference here is you will have to avoid fire traps, canyons and other contraptions. The only problem with this is that the physics are nothing like real Pool, which is ofcourse one of the most important things that should be right in a game like this. Then there’s the power bar of the cue which is very slow and does not make much of a difference.

Real player with 3.8 hrs in game

Glow Ball - The billiard puzzle game on Steam

Snooker 19

Snooker 19

After 600+ hrs of game play, I’ve decided to change my review of Snooker19. I couldn’t possibly recommend this game at its current price.

The game was released early to coincide with the World Championship 2019 with a ton of bugs.

To date there has been 18 patches released and each time one is released its somehow is released with new AND old bugs. One step forward and 2 steps back.

After only a few months the game was a wasteland (on pc) and there were incredibly long waits for an online match. Outside of peak hrs it it was virtually impossible to get an online match. (I’m sure at least 100 hrs of my total gameplay was just waiting).

Real player with 761.4 hrs in game


Read More: Best Pool Sports Games.


I feel now is the time to revise this review, initially it was a big negative due to the game being rushed as a full release, should have been early access with a price to reflect.

After numerous updates this game is very close to being superb, if you can get quite good at the game the challenge you get from Hard A.I. playing either pro + or master + is possibly the best Human Vs A.I. experience of any computer sports game, you seriously could be playing a real person who is also good at the game, it’s just great.

Real player with 411.0 hrs in game

Snooker 19 on Steam

Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker

Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker

I spent many hours playing first Cue Club and I was sure it’s the best pool&snooker simulator we can find. But later I found this one on Steam.

What else can I say? Graphics is very nice. Music is cool too. I think that the physics is one of the strongest points of the game. We can feel like we were potting balls on the real table, with full control of the cue ball. We have a possibility to adjust the gameplay, in almost every aspect. Snooker on the blue table? Why not. Balls are too fast? You can try changing table speed. Every match can be different, if we want. And maybe the most important point - the game is dynamically changing. We have regular updates, which means we have more and more content, some bugs or errors quickly disappears. Bulldog Interactive makes really great work.

Real player with 914.7 hrs in game

I have probably spent a few hundred hours playing its predecessor Cue Club, but that was almost 15 years ago and that too on a CRT monitor.

I only got like 12 hours here so far but so far it has been quite nice.

A brief comparison vis-a-vis its predecessor is present below for reference.

Better in Cue Club 2 - Game dynamics, game types, improved graphics, multiplayer, music

Better in Cue Club (older) - Cue and ball varieties, Bar system, smoke on the table

I think I will give the older one a go if I can find my iso collection. Hopefully it will run in compatibility mode.

Real player with 317.0 hrs in game

Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker on Steam

Future Snooker

Future Snooker

Probably my favourite Cornutopia title outside of Flatspace. I’ve owned this off Steam for many years. It’s simple in both design and game play. Future Snooker offers some tactical opportunities for players to stymie opponents, but mostly comes down to a battle to contain errors as one big break from either player will generally win the frame. The soundtrack is beautiful.

7/10

Real player with 3.1 hrs in game

Very fun. I like the idea of snooker being played on a circular table. Makes it a bit easier but also more exciting.

Here is some gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHM4xN_LdUA

Real player with 0.6 hrs in game

Future Snooker on Steam

Golf Pool VR

Golf Pool VR

This is a fun game. I listen to podcasts/youtube on bluetooth headphones while playing and this game keeps me just occupied enough to let my mind wonder. I also do this with eleven table tennis. The stages are very cool, the penguin minigame is fantastic. I generally take in the atmosphere while the computer is hitting the ball as looking down watching can strain the neck. Luckily the environments are awesome. Solid purchase for me and I’m still learning and getting better.

Real player with 159.4 hrs in game

This game is absolutely incredible for a lot of reasons. If you have ever played pool in VR before, then I am sure you have experienced how insanely difficult it is to play accurately without the ability to rest your hands on the table while you take a shot. It seems that this game was born out of that difficulty. For that reason, this game exists perfectly at the intersection of “ridiculous” and “practical.”

There is something completely absurd about standing atop a pool table with a golf putter, but at the same time it feels so natural. It really makes you wonder why a game like this doesn’t exist in real life, outside of VR. This seems like the perfect game to play in the backyard during a cookout or something.

Real player with 25.8 hrs in game

Golf Pool VR on Steam

Maxi Pool Masters VR

Maxi Pool Masters VR

Fun play !!, but having the ability to turn right and left would be nice. Maybe adding ball english.

Real player with 13.3 hrs in game

I am one of the twins who run the Youtube channel Twins in VR.

You can find a full review here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNwNTq6wstk

This was a surprise hit for both of us. With this game having 4 modes to play and 3 different difficulty levels, this game had enough game play to justify it’s small price tag.

Your typical pool game is played standing around the pool table and leaning over to take your shot. Not this game. You stand on the pool table which is a fresh perspective on the game of billiards.

Real player with 5.0 hrs in game

Maxi Pool Masters VR on Steam

Snooker Nation Championship

Snooker Nation Championship

Well… this is a pretty tough call. I absolutely love snooker, and any snooker fan will probably love this game too, and considering the price, there’s no reason not to buy it if you’re into the game. However, I’d struggle to justify the purchase if you’re not a fanatic.

The physics are great. A game that finally accurately depicts side, yay! I’ve always loved my masse shots so it’s pretty fun to do them on here too. They’re very tricky though; no matter what power I set it to, the side kicks in earlier than the guideline shows.. perhaps that needs to be attended to?

Real player with 128.9 hrs in game

Snooker Nation Championship

@Cherry:

Snooker Nation Championship is digital snooker at is best.

I’m going to have to disagree with that statement, Cherry Pop Games, vehemenontly disgaree, after twenty-three hours (at time of writing,) several glaring (albeit sporadic) issues including:

  • Poor implementation of physics, especially with adding spin or side having no visible effect and balls accelerating wierdly,

  • Balls being respotted in incorrect positions (respotting the black at the yellow spot, really?)

Real player with 39.6 hrs in game

Snooker Nation Championship on Steam

Bomb Bowling

Bomb Bowling

Fun Puzzle Game.

Click on the Bombs to make the Bowling Balls move & Hopefully Knock Down all of the Pins.

Reminds me of the Zup! Games a Little.

Big Thank-You to VM for the Gift. :)

NOTE: “Steam is learning about this game”, so it needs more Purchases, Play-Time, & Reviews before the Achievements will count towards your Profile Totals.

Real player with 5.3 hrs in game

completely changed my life. since i played this game my penis inches in seconds, i got a foot taller, females cant resist me, my boss gave me a million dollar raise and i became president of the united states

Real player with 2.0 hrs in game

Bomb Bowling on Steam

Pool Nation FX Lite

Pool Nation FX Lite

I think the most important answer hidden in reviews

of Early Access games is the answer to the question:

“Is this game worth of buying at this stage of

development?” In my Early Access review of

Pool Nation FX I’ll try to convince you that in this

case the choice is easier like never before in the

whole Early Access games history.

LOVE POOL…

The pool love story all begun in the biblical Garden

of Eden where Adam and Eve were happily potting

under a cherry tree very first balls. Yes, it was all

Real player with 95.8 hrs in game

Lazy Dev, Broken Game, Broken Promises

Don’t bother with leagues. You get 1 loss recorded for every game you enter and 3 losses per loss. It’s completely unplayable. The dev doesn’t care and won’t admit anything.

Don’t bother with snooker. The physics are broken, and the shot guide doesn’t work. Again, the dev doesn’t care.

Don’t bother reading the forums. Every bug somebody posts is taken down and replaced with praise from brand new accounts.

Don’t bother playing the “for cash” games. The game takes your currency, then doesn’t pay out when you win. The dev won’t admit this issue, even though it’s all over the forums.

Real player with 37.3 hrs in game

Pool Nation FX Lite on Steam